To start with, what are SSDs?

SSDs are the evolution of HDDs or hard drives, replacing mechanical parts with chips.

The read/write head of SSD drives does not move, as it does in HDD drives. Instead, it is fixed in place and uses electrical signals to read or write data to flash memory units.

For convenience, you can relate the difference between the two technologies as going from vinyl to CD.

The above results in reduced weight, reduced likelihood of damage, and increased response speed. A characteristic feature is the noticeably faster boot up of the PC.

The table below summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

For even more detail, you can read the related article on the differences between SSD and HDD.

Capacity

SSD drives can have a capacity from 120GB up to 3TB, so you are called to choose the one that covers your needs so you don't pay extra for unused GB of space.

If you store only basic files such as docs and photos, a hard drive of about 500GB is enough. 

However, if you store many video files such as movies and series, you will need a hard drive with larger capacity such as 1TB or 2TB.

Skroutz Tip: For convenience, you can keep in mind that 1TB is equivalent to about 35 hours of Full High Definition (1080p) video or about 250,000 images.

Communication Protocol

This is the way your PC communicates and it affects the speed, compatibility, and overall performance of the drive. Of course, this depends on what exactly your motherboard supports, so you will need to check for compatibility.

Let's take a look!

PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) & NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)

• Newer and faster version. Offers speeds from 3,500MB/s (Gen3) up to 14,000MB/s (Gen5)
• Communicates directly with the CPU without any delay
• Supported by newer motherboards (most models after 2016). There are PCIe 4 & 5 versions, with the latest being the fastest. Don't worry though, even if your motherboard is from a previous generation, the performance drop you'll notice is minimal.
• Requires an M.2 slot that supports NVMe or a PCIe slot for expansion cards
• Prefer it for gaming and high performance tasks

SATA (Serial ATA):

• Older technology with limited performance. It is limited to 560MB/s
• Works on almost every computer or laptop with a SATA port
• Prefer it if you have an old laptop/PC that does not support an M.2 slot or if you need an affordable drive for file storage.

The sizes of SSDs

SSDs are mainly divided into 2 categories based on size. 

2.5": These are the most common (they also fit older systems), bulkier compared to the other types and connect via the SATA connection protocol. 

M.2: These fit newer PCs and laptops and are much smaller in size. They connect directly to the motherboard without the need for cables. They are divided into 2 categories depending on the communication protocol they use. 

• M.2 SATA SSD: They connect via SATA and their speed is the same as 2.5" drives, but in a much more compact form.
• M.2 NVMe SSD: They take advantage of the PCIe communication protocol for much faster speeds, ideal for gaming and high performance in general. At the same time, this type is also ideal for PS5 upgrade as it is fully compatible.

Skroutz Tip: To connect an M.2 SSD, you must make sure it is supported by your motherboard (that it has the corresponding slot).

After learning the essentials, in the table below we suggest what to acquire based on your potential needs.